There is folly all around us these days, brought closer home and into our hearts, heads, and ears through all sorts of media platforms.
But how can we say that? Who is to say what is wise and what is foolish? Well, God, that’s who. And besides the book of Proverbs, which is one long profile of wisdom vs. folly, James has a lot to say about these things as well. He describes wisdom like this:
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17
Many of our leaders, in business and politics, seem to think they know better than you do what is good for you. They are quick to tell us what to do, and have you noticed how strident, self-righteous, and angry they are as they do it?
Compare that to James’ profile of wisdom from above. . .
Real wisdom is pure, not unethical.
Real wisdom is peaceable, not pushy.
Real wisdom is gentle, not cruel.
Real wisdom is open to reason, not closed-minded.
Real wisdom is full of mercy, not vindictive.
Real wisdom is full of good fruits, not destructive.
Real wisdom is impartial, not closed to the other side.
Real wisdom is sincere, not hypocritical.
Get the picture? The people who want us to follow them not only have an agenda, but they pursue it irrationally and without regard for anyone who gets in their way. They are not open to negotiate, and they openly seek to ridicule and punish all who may disagree with them.
Let’s not be like them in our dealings with one another. Let’s always remember that the wise thing is the loving thing and the right thing, in essence, God’s thing.
Let’s follow hard after Jesus. Let’s be wise.
“Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:18